The 5 Most Deadly Hurricanes in the United States

As Category 4 Hurricane Joaquin makes its way toward the Eastern coast of the United States, preparations are underway to minimize the damage in areas where the storm might possibly make landfall.

Current predictions have Joaquin’s 130-mile-an-hour fury landing in Virginia, North Carolina or New Jersey. Those states have already declared a state of emergency. Even if the storm turns away from the US, coastal regions are expected to suffer heavy rains and flooding.

As Joaquin’s every move is traced, it’s interesting to revisit some of the deadliest hurricanes to strike US soil. Here is The Weather Channel’s list of the top 5 killer hurricanes. A full list appears below.

The Sea Islands Hurricane

The Sea Islands Hurricane of 1893. Well before hurricanes were given official names, this beastly storm struck the coast of Georgia near Savannah. 1,000–2,000 people were killed, primarily from the storm surge.

1893 Cheniere Caminada hurricane

Also called the Great October Storm, hit Chenière Caminada, Louisiana and killed nearly 1,100-1,400 individuals.

Hurricane Katrina

Poor Louisiana has the dubious distinction of appearing on the list twice. Katrina struck in 2005, making it the most recent. At least 1,245 people were killed, and property damage totalled $108 billion.

The Okeechobee Hurricane

The Okeechobee hurricane, also referred to as the San Felipe Segundo hurricane, hit West Palm Beach on September 17, 1928. With winds of 145 mph, the storm killed 2,500 people in West Palm Beach.

The Galveston Hurricane

The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 was a Category 4 storm as it slammed into the Texas coast. Death estimates range from 6,000 and 12,000 people — making it by far the most lethal hurricane in US history.